Calf Cramps - Page 5 - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

07-08-2004, 06:12 AM

> For prevention: those cramps are usually a sign of oxygen and nutrient
> depletion. I've always read that the potassium in bananas helps. You
> might try eating a banana in the evening after a long ride or taking a
> potassium supplement.

I've heard the same thing about bananas. Another poster mentioned
celery juice, which I assume to be made by putting celery sticks
through a juicer (rather than something purchased at the store with
added salt, sugars and whatnot). There's a good website with nutrient
information on all these foods: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. There
you'll find that celery does indeed contain more sodium than, say,
bananas, while bananas contain more potassium. While I rarely suffer
from cramping, I may try adding more celery to my diet anyway - can't
hurt.

For any ride longer than about 20 miles, I use bananas and a
gatorade-like drink which I mix from powder. There are a number of
recipes on the 'net (no need to spend $$ on commercial products), but
you'll have to try them to see what works for you. During a quick
perusal I found a recipe at
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] which appears to be
similar to what I use.

There's also a good article on muscle cramps at
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].

07-11-2004, 10:58 AM

NYRides <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
> Does anybody have a quick fix for these? They happen to me in only
> occasionally, in the middle of the night, but it seems the potential is
> there EVERY night. I think the cause might be long rides followed by going

I get the occasional cramp in my hamstrings, generally following long
exertion in hot weather. (Got them in both legs simultaneously once in a
precarious bivouac on a mountain--now THAT'S misery!)
My reading on the subject suggests that the causes may be exertion,
dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance. To avoid cramps: drink up, drink
sports drinks, warm up, warm down, eat bananas. Milk? I haven't heard
that one, but it can't hurt.
Once you get the cramps, the usual therapy is to gently stretch the
muscle and hold it in the stretched position until the cramp passes.
Gentle massage/pressure on the cramp site may also help.

07-11-2004, 10:58 AM

NYRides <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
> Does anybody have a quick fix for these? They happen to me in only
> occasionally, in the middle of the night, but it seems the potential is
> there EVERY night. I think the cause might be long rides followed by going

I get the occasional cramp in my hamstrings, generally following long
exertion in hot weather. (Got them in both legs simultaneously once in a
precarious bivouac on a mountain--now THAT'S misery!)
My reading on the subject suggests that the causes may be exertion,
dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance. To avoid cramps: drink up, drink
sports drinks, warm up, warm down, eat bananas. Milk? I haven't heard
that one, but it can't hurt.
Once you get the cramps, the usual therapy is to gently stretch the
muscle and hold it in the stretched position until the cramp passes.
Gentle massage/pressure on the cramp site may also help.

07-11-2004, 10:58 AM

NYRides <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
> Does anybody have a quick fix for these? They happen to me in only
> occasionally, in the middle of the night, but it seems the potential is
> there EVERY night. I think the cause might be long rides followed by going

I get the occasional cramp in my hamstrings, generally following long
exertion in hot weather. (Got them in both legs simultaneously once in a
precarious bivouac on a mountain--now THAT'S misery!)
My reading on the subject suggests that the causes may be exertion,
dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance. To avoid cramps: drink up, drink
sports drinks, warm up, warm down, eat bananas. Milk? I haven't heard
that one, but it can't hurt.
Once you get the cramps, the usual therapy is to gently stretch the
muscle and hold it in the stretched position until the cramp passes.
Gentle massage/pressure on the cramp site may also help.

07-11-2004, 10:58 AM

NYRides <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
> Does anybody have a quick fix for these? They happen to me in only
> occasionally, in the middle of the night, but it seems the potential is
> there EVERY night. I think the cause might be long rides followed by going

I get the occasional cramp in my hamstrings, generally following long
exertion in hot weather. (Got them in both legs simultaneously once in a
precarious bivouac on a mountain--now THAT'S misery!)
My reading on the subject suggests that the causes may be exertion,
dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance. To avoid cramps: drink up, drink
sports drinks, warm up, warm down, eat bananas. Milk? I haven't heard
that one, but it can't hurt.
Once you get the cramps, the usual therapy is to gently stretch the
muscle and hold it in the stretched position until the cramp passes.
Gentle massage/pressure on the cramp site may also help.

07-11-2004, 10:58 AM

NYRides <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
> Does anybody have a quick fix for these? They happen to me in only
> occasionally, in the middle of the night, but it seems the potential is
> there EVERY night. I think the cause might be long rides followed by going

I get the occasional cramp in my hamstrings, generally following long
exertion in hot weather. (Got them in both legs simultaneously once in a
precarious bivouac on a mountain--now THAT'S misery!)
My reading on the subject suggests that the causes may be exertion,
dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance. To avoid cramps: drink up, drink
sports drinks, warm up, warm down, eat bananas. Milk? I haven't heard
that one, but it can't hurt.
Once you get the cramps, the usual therapy is to gently stretch the
muscle and hold it in the stretched position until the cramp passes.
Gentle massage/pressure on the cramp site may also help.